Man shot in foot during Eddington burglary sentenced to 2½ years

Darren Seidell, 30, a transient originally from Florida, is taken to an ambulance from an Eddington home on Riverside Drive Saturday afternoon after breaking in and then being shot in the foot by the home owner.

Darren Seidell, 30, formerly of Florida, broke into the home of his son’s grandfather hoping to steal photos of the boy, defense attorney Aaron Fethke of Searsport told Superior Court Justice William Anderson at the sentencing.

The defendant, described as a transient in court documents, appeared Monday to have recovered from the gunshot wound.

Seidell also took jewelry, including a diamond ring valued at about $2,500, Michael Roberts, deputy district attorney for Penobscot County, told Anderson. The property was recovered, the prosecutor said.

The defendant, wearing a ski mask, broke into the home of Peter and Carol Roderick on Riverside Drive about 2:45 a.m Jan. 7, Roberts said. Peter Roderick found Seidell in his bedroom and chased him downstairs, where a scuffle ensued.

The two tussled and Peter Roderick ripped the jacket Seidell was wearing, then shot the still-masked intruder in the foot, according to court documents. Seidell ran toward a nearby home.

Roderick has a concealed weapons permit, according to previously published reports. He shot Seidell with a 9mm handgun that he always carries, Roderick told investigators.

Seidell pleaded guilty to burglary and theft earlier this year. A plea agreement that called for him to be sentenced to two years in prison was rejected by District Court Judge Gregory Campbell, who was a prosecutor for the Penobscot County district attorney’s office before being appointed to the bench nearly a year ago.

The new plea agreement presented to Anderson on Monday called for a maximum sentence of up to five years. Seidell told the judge that he wanted to plead guilty and be sentenced rather than go to trial.

The six months Seidell has been held without bail will be applied to his sentence.